Alright, let's start where everyone is wanting me to...the situation surrounding Austin (Texas) Westlake defensive end commitment Colton Vasek. The big-time pass rusher that took a visit to Texas last weekend - his second trip of the season.
Now, I spoke to Vasek following that first trip - for the Alabama weekend - and he was very dismissive of that trip being meaningful. Even going so far as to say 'I'm locked in with the Sooners, forever."
Vasek Locked in with Sooners
Now obviously at that point the Sooners were 3-0 with playoff dreams dancing in their head and clearly since then a lot has changed for the Sooners, the Longhorns, and Vasek as well.
The things to remember are the reality that Vasek didn't choose Oklahoma over Texas according to almost everyone, he chose the Sooners over Oregon. So has Texas suddenly leapfrogged everyone?
Maybe, I mean his lifelong fandom, the reality that he's a Longhorn legacy, and let's face it, Texas seeming to be finding its feet all add up to a potentially potent mixture in his recruitment.
I will say that the talk of a 'breakup' or whatever some want to call it, feels like an exaggeration of the issue. A flip may well come, in fact I think that's probably the most likely scenario as things stand today but as I keep saying, every day that goes by without it happening is a positive for Oklahoma. It gives the Sooners more time to regain their own momentum and get closer to what he has told me would be his next visit to Norman, the Baylor game on Nov. 5.
The bottom line is that the Sooners haven't lost Vasek at this point and a lot of the talk of Texas' confidence, are these the same confidences that were sure the Sooners had no chance the first go around?
"If this thing was certain, an Austin kid who grew up rooting for Texas. I mean if he's certain he's going to Texas - why hasn't anything happened," one source mused. "I mean, what's to stop him, he'd be the toast of his high school and his town."
Again, I don't want to get anyone's hopes too high, but the certainty seems a bit far-fetched considering all that we've seen of information regarding Vasek in recent months.
**Alright, the next stop along the defensive line is with Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett Rivals250 defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
I spoke with McDonald for a while last night and I get the impression that the Sooners are probably in front at the moment. In fact, I think that's where he's at - though I want to be clear he did not say that, it's just my read of the situation.
Now, he's going to Clemson this weekend so there's plenty to still be concerned about as the Tigers have been the perceived leader for quite some time. However, unlike some 'final trips' like this, McDonald has given the Clemson staff no indication of his leanings and seems to be taking things at face value.
One thing that McDonald mentioned that caught my ear was the role of Brent Venables and his background holding great meaning in his recruitment.
"Oklahoma is unique, not like any other staff. (Having a) defensive-minded head coach really sets OU apart from the my other schools," McDonald said. "(My) mom created a spreadsheet so we are just evaluating each school right now."
McDonald also talked about something else that was singular to the Sooners - his time with Oklahoma president Joe Harroz.
"(I was) honored the OU president came down and welcome me to campus," he said. "He said OU needs me and if I have any questions I can personally call him."
Has any other school done that?
"No sir."
***Finally, just a quick note from one source on the situation with Lehi (Utah) Skyridge Rivals100 pass rusher Tausili Akana.
"He seems like a really good fit with (Oklahoma). There was a real comfort on his whole trip," one source said. "It's just about making him comfortable with the distance and making sure his family feels comfortable with everything.
"He really loves (Brent Venables)"
Now, I spoke to Vasek following that first trip - for the Alabama weekend - and he was very dismissive of that trip being meaningful. Even going so far as to say 'I'm locked in with the Sooners, forever."
Vasek Locked in with Sooners
Now obviously at that point the Sooners were 3-0 with playoff dreams dancing in their head and clearly since then a lot has changed for the Sooners, the Longhorns, and Vasek as well.
The things to remember are the reality that Vasek didn't choose Oklahoma over Texas according to almost everyone, he chose the Sooners over Oregon. So has Texas suddenly leapfrogged everyone?
Maybe, I mean his lifelong fandom, the reality that he's a Longhorn legacy, and let's face it, Texas seeming to be finding its feet all add up to a potentially potent mixture in his recruitment.
I will say that the talk of a 'breakup' or whatever some want to call it, feels like an exaggeration of the issue. A flip may well come, in fact I think that's probably the most likely scenario as things stand today but as I keep saying, every day that goes by without it happening is a positive for Oklahoma. It gives the Sooners more time to regain their own momentum and get closer to what he has told me would be his next visit to Norman, the Baylor game on Nov. 5.
The bottom line is that the Sooners haven't lost Vasek at this point and a lot of the talk of Texas' confidence, are these the same confidences that were sure the Sooners had no chance the first go around?
"If this thing was certain, an Austin kid who grew up rooting for Texas. I mean if he's certain he's going to Texas - why hasn't anything happened," one source mused. "I mean, what's to stop him, he'd be the toast of his high school and his town."
Again, I don't want to get anyone's hopes too high, but the certainty seems a bit far-fetched considering all that we've seen of information regarding Vasek in recent months.
**Alright, the next stop along the defensive line is with Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett Rivals250 defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
I spoke with McDonald for a while last night and I get the impression that the Sooners are probably in front at the moment. In fact, I think that's where he's at - though I want to be clear he did not say that, it's just my read of the situation.
Now, he's going to Clemson this weekend so there's plenty to still be concerned about as the Tigers have been the perceived leader for quite some time. However, unlike some 'final trips' like this, McDonald has given the Clemson staff no indication of his leanings and seems to be taking things at face value.
One thing that McDonald mentioned that caught my ear was the role of Brent Venables and his background holding great meaning in his recruitment.
"Oklahoma is unique, not like any other staff. (Having a) defensive-minded head coach really sets OU apart from the my other schools," McDonald said. "(My) mom created a spreadsheet so we are just evaluating each school right now."
McDonald also talked about something else that was singular to the Sooners - his time with Oklahoma president Joe Harroz.
"(I was) honored the OU president came down and welcome me to campus," he said. "He said OU needs me and if I have any questions I can personally call him."
Has any other school done that?
"No sir."
***Finally, just a quick note from one source on the situation with Lehi (Utah) Skyridge Rivals100 pass rusher Tausili Akana.
"He seems like a really good fit with (Oklahoma). There was a real comfort on his whole trip," one source said. "It's just about making him comfortable with the distance and making sure his family feels comfortable with everything.
"He really loves (Brent Venables)"
